The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-01-02
A JAPANESE FAMILY.
A NOBLE FATHER, A TENDER MOTHER
ANp LOVELY CHILDREN.


Careful Training of the Sons and Daugh-
ters-Several Interesting Customs-Rev-
erent Beliefs Of Many GeneratIons-A
Pile Of Charms.
In this home an ex-daimio and family
dwelled, with whom l exchanged frequent
Inequalities during my sojourn in Japan.
As l was one of the family in which the
daimio's youngest brother and eldest son
had found a home while pursuing their
education in America, l was cordially re-
ceived by the ex-prince in turn. The fam
lily then consisted of his wife, two little
girls, two grown daughters, and three sons
one a baby-and the grandmother of these
children-a charming old lady three
nurses and large retinue of servants.
The father was a noble specimen of devo-
ton to his country, yet, withal, an apostle
of progress. He was one of the many who
had consented to the destruction of the old
government and had voluntarily yielded
his revenues and title without a nlurmur
for the public good. The lady mother and
eldest daughter were peers of the ladies of
any land in their love of beauty, ornament,
elegant dress, and neatness, AMI in their
skill in household management, as well as in
those social amenities and tactics of polite
circles that etiquette prescribes.
This mother was as strong in tenderness
patience and long suffering for and with her
children as her European or American sis
tiers; and equally faithful and assiduous in
their training and education, according to
her knowledge. She taught her daughters
as her mother had taught her, that the
three fundamental duties of woman are
obedience to her parents when a child, obe-
dience to her husband when married, and
obedience TO her eldest SON, if she be..Om 6 a
widow.
She also instructed them from the Japan
csc Ladies' Library, which is compen-
dunn of the moral and physical duties of
woman. 1t includes the subjects of house
hold and social management, rules for the
strictest etiquette, a guide to letter writ
ing, proverbs, poems from a hundred
thors, memoirs of noble women, and order
ing for the whole conduct of life. They
were likewise taught to read the standard
histories Of Japan i'm Chinese characters and
both boys and girls were thoroughly drilled
in the Evolutionary heroic, and mythologi-
cal lore of their own land.
The We're trained to manly sports
and exploits, and their ambition fired by
historic tales of heroes. They were urged
to overcome obstacles, by the symbol over
the massive outer door, where swung the
huge paper carp suspended from a bamboo
pole, ever reminding the youth of Japan how
the carp leaps the waterfall. These lads
were also taught natural sciences and mill
tary tactics, from English and Dutch au-
thors. Often in their half holidays have I
found them constructing miniature earth
works BY the aid Of book, diagram and
trowe!.
Then came the tutor with lessons I'm fenc-
ing and wrestling, and the use Of cross
spears and swords, in the handling of which
they became marvelously expert. The father
instructed the sons i'll the Chinese classics
himself and stimulated their young souls
10y tales of classic lore.
One of the interesting customs / thus
learned of i'll the life of this house was that
of the many festivals-the Feast of the
Dolls for the daughters of the house when
year after year the great nursery was
decked with blooming bows and the many
toys in which japan abounds, while a pretty
mimic life of motherhood and housekeeping
prevailed for one whole day; of the Feast
of the Banners, when the boys Were marched
out in triumph To the streets, with einblaz-
oned banners to enact a mimicwar; of the
New Years day, when prince and retain
ers, master and servants, pledged anew
their dev otion TO each other, and received
gifts of good things; of the religious fes-
rivals, when the masters household. like a
great heart, beat for the birth and bath.
the joy and sorrow, of his tenantry.
Here, for two centuries, tine daughters
of the house had been given i'll marriage.
without spoken vow or priestiy rite; but 10y
gift and song, dance and cheer, began their
new career. From thence had gone out
the father to Netldo or Fukui on .ublic or
private business-the sons for education
and culture, the daughters for travel or
ligious duty. These walls had echoed with
songs and laughter, with cries and sobs.
Here in time of bereavement in the ora
tory of the house where the sacred lights
and incense burn, one after another black
tablet was set, gilt-lettered, TO be honored
by later generations.
In the path by the old shrine, made sa-
cred ny the reverent beliefs of generations,
| took my final leave of this interesting
family. l asked for a memento from its
hallowed contents. and the ex-prince gave
me a case of light wool, containing
amulet written in SanslSrit and Chinese. for
the protection of this ancient house; and
as l passed out If the great gate, l stood
under a pile Of charms a foot I'm thickness,
which had been addict year by year, to
ward off sickness and harm.-Helen g. III.
Thompson i'll Overland Monthly